Carbon arrows for selfbow?

[dinorocks]

I have been shooting cedar shafts from my selfbows for a couple years without issues.  Is it an oxymoron to shoot carbon arrows from a selfbow?  I have no real reason to try carbon shafts other than experimenting.  I reviewed shaft selection charts provided by various carbon shaft manufactures but still unsure of the size of a carbon shaft that would best match my selfbow.  The charts list “modern longbow with Fast Flight string”.  I shoot a 45# Osage selfbow at 26” with a B-50 flemish twist string.  Are the spine weights of carbon arrows limited on low-poundage bows?

Thanks for a 101 on carbon arrows!
Dino

[Rick_H]

I'm no expert but I think the heavier weight of wood is an advantage. I have a bow I made from a Dryad blank and it likes wood arrows better. Easton makes a 500 and 600 shafts which may work, you can experiment with shaft length and point weight to modify stiffness.

[wingnut]

Dino,

Now that just ain't right!!  No carbon on a selfbow.  Dang!!

That being said I'm not sure you can get a light enough spine and still have the 10 gpp that you are going to want.  Especially with a 26" draw and B50.

I stick with wood on wood bows.

Mike

[dinorocks]

Thanks Mike.  I saw someone from my archery club shooting carbon arrows from his selfbow and was curious...that's probably why he used the wood grain finish!  My friend told me he would disown me if I shot carbon arrows from my selfbow.

Dino

Ps. I should probably pull this thread before I look like even more of an amateur than I already am!

[wingnut]

Nope it's a good question.  I have told a few of my friends that I've built selfbows for that if I ever caught them shooting carbons I'd make the bow into a 4 or 5 piece takedown.  LOL

Mike

[Yolla Bolly]

Dino---You probably could get GrizzlyStiks heavy enough, that would still spine right.  They don't break easily.l

[Huntrdfk]

Hate to do it, but I'm going to go against the grain here........I shoot ICS 500's out of my selfbows, most are around 50@29", theu fly like darts and are whisper quiet.

I know it's not the norm, but it really works for me.......sorry Mike  :rolleyes:  


David

[ChristopherO]

Unless you made your bow out of antler and stone tools then it shouldn't have any problems digesting carbon arrows.  Just goes along with the carbon edged saw blades that cut the osage.

If you load them enough upfront then you should be able to shoot them with enough gpi with no problem.  GT 33/55's ought to work.

[Linc]

Dino, What ever floats your boat. I guess everything would be alright if you put some stone tips on them.Just kidding. I guess it would depend on how close to center shot the bow is,the less critical the spine would be. I've shot a few carbons with my selfbows but they were ones that I have found at the 3D range and tried them. I still prefer wood.

[James Wrenn]

You can buy carbons in spines to shoot from any bow.The problem comes when you want light spines with heavy weights.To get that means useing more than normal point weights or inserts and useing a heavier spine than required for normal points.It can also mean shooting longer arrows than you would for normal point weights and regular spines.

I shoot carbons from selfbows and backed bows but I use skinny 8 strand d-97 strings instead of b-50.That makes a big differnce on spine needed so really can't suggest anything specific for your bow. jmo

[ron w]

If you can get them to fly well, why not. That being said I like wood arrows, but I have tried carbons and with heavy tip weight they fly great. Remember at one time carbon was wood. lol!!! If it works for you and your confident, go for it.

[Eric Krewson]

I have made several selfbows for people who wanted one of my bows but were beginning traditionalists and and wanted the durability of carbon.

My neighbor ran through a bunch of wood arrows in a hurry after I made him a BBO. He loves to shoot the bow but had to order all his arrows ready made. He came by several times a week with arrows for me to repair.

I encouraged him to buy a Bitz, feathers, nocks, some 35-55 gold tip shafts and make his own arrows. He is a physician and has very limited spare time so this was the way for him to go. He weighted his arrows up and they fly perfectly for him.

There is learning curve for using wood arrows so I never encourage a newbie to traditional archery to shoot wood at first, no matter what kind of bow they start with. I feel that breaking a quiver full of expensive wood arrows would dampen the excitement of shooting somewhat for anybody new to our sport.

[BLACK WOLF]

I agree with Eric...unless the archer is totally dead set on being very primitive and loves the idea and has the time to make his own arrows...have them shoot an arrow that's more durable and easier to maintain.

Ultimately...just do whatever floats your boat. Archery is suppose to be fun. If it's not...change something.

Ray